Shilpa Shirodkar worked as a hairdresser in New Zealand after getting married, leaving Bollywood: ‘I was SSC fail but I put that in my resume'

Indian Express

07-07-2025

After making her debut in 1989, Shilpa Shirodkar delivered several hits and became a household name. But in 2000, after her film Gaja Gamini, Shilpa quietly stepped away from acting. She married banker Aparesh Ranjit, and the couple moved abroad—first to the Netherlands, and then to New Zealand.
In a recent conversation with Gauahar Khan on her podcast MaaaNoranjan, Shilpa Shirodkar opened up about her life away from the spotlight. The actor revealed that during her stay in New Zealand, she decided to learn hairdressing to keep herself occupied. She said, 'To keep myself busy, I did a hairdressing course in New Zealand. It was something close to my acting career—with makeup and all that. After the course, I worked in a salon for two months.'
However, the job wasn't as simple as it seemed.
The actor continued, 'We were newly married, and the hairdresser job was very demanding. He (husband Aparesh Ranjit) used to get his offs on weekends, and I was expected to work on those same days. We needed time to get to know each other, and I felt like this wasn't working for me.'
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So Shilpa Shirodkar quit. When her husband asked what she planned to do next, Shilpa surprised him. She said, 'I told him, 'Make my resume.' He asked, 'What should I put in it?' I said, 'Don't lie—just put the truth, even SSC fail and my film work.' For fun, I applied to a few jobs, and went for two interviews on the same day. Like a movie scene, I came back with two appointment letters!'
She eventually took a job but soon found out she was pregnant.
'I joined as credit controller at Dun & Bradstreet, and one day I told my friend, 'I feel tired all the time and have acidity.' She said, 'You're pregnant!' I laughed it off but took a test. When I saw the two lines, I was stunned. My husband was waiting and when I told him, he jumped with joy. Our life changed from that moment,' shared the actress.
Shilpa Shirodkar continued working during her pregnancy, despite health challenges. 'I was on insulin three times a day, lost 20 kilos, and smelled like cocoa butter all the time—but it was the best pregnancy ever,' said Shilpa.
She welcomed her daughter, Anushka, and eventually chose to become a full-time mom.